Activision Sued Over 'Guitar Hero' Patent Claims

As the battle of band licensing fees rages over
music in video games (the two most outspoken mouthpieces on
the issue are, of course, Viacom Chief Philippe Dauman and Warner
Music CEO Edgar Bronfman, Jr.), there is a new topic of
disagreement.

According to a lawsuit filed by the Patent Compliance Group on
Feb. 12, Activision (maker of "Guitar Hero") has improperly
labeled products as patented or patent pending.

The Hollywood Reporter, Esq.: PC[G] claims that Activision
has abused the process by not actually having relevant
applications pending and/or not having patents that cover the
scope of its marked products.

PCG is asking for no more than $500 for each of Activision's
violations—not quite the monetary retribution music labels are
after.